Russian papers decry Moscow suicide bombing

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Tues., 25/1/2011: We take a look at the front pages of the Russian papers, all on yesterday’s suicide bombing in a Moscow Airport that has left at least 35 dead. Also, the Pope blesses Facebook; what ever became of US overnight star Ted Williams and a supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park…

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Next up, two articles on Facebook. The Daily Beastreports on the Pope’s blessing of social networks. “First condoms, now Facebook—what will Pope Benedict endorse next?” they ask.

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph says that Nicolas Sarkozy’s Facebook page was hacked, falsely announcing to his 350,000 friends that he would not be seeking re-election in 2012!

The New York Daily News reports on Ted Williams – the ‘Golden Voice’ homeless man who became on overnight star a few weeks ago when an Ohio-based paper took a recording of Williams’ remarkable “radio voice”.

Williams ended up on the streets because of addiction problems but under pressure from talk show host, “Dr. Phil”, he checked into rehab. Against doctors’ advice he has now checked himself out, two weeks later.

The fairytale version of this story would have Ted Williams living happily ever after – a rags to riches American dream…perhaps this tale exposes the over-enthusiasm of the media for the perfect story… and a happy ending.

We finish withGawker: “How the Supervolcano Underneath Yellowstone Will Wipe Us Out”. A supervolcano in California’s Yellowstone National Park covers some 925 square miles and it just "took a deep 'breath,'" according to scientists, causing the ground to rise 10 inches in some places. Is it going to erupt? Gawker’s answer is typically glib:

“Well, according to scientists, probably not. But "probably not" is just another word for "maybe"! And "maybe" just means "yes, eventually." And "eventually" could be, like tomorrow!”

The news website goes on to point out that “according to Bob Smith, a volcano doctor at the University of Utah, we're probably not looking at an imminent eruption, since the reservoir is so far below the surface.” Reassuring?